After the birth of the originalPlayStation, the course of the future of at-home console gaming veered onto an unforgettable path. When thePlayStation 2finally hit the shelves, many players hurried to get their hands on a platform with games that took 3D environments and storytelling to another level. Much like its predecessor,there is a huge catalog of iconic games to enjoy. However, not every single masterpiece on the PS2 became available to everyone.
5 Best Video Game Series That Never Left The PlayStation 2
Which top-tier PlayStation 2 game series never left the comforts of the platform?
Although huge thrilling titles likeGod of WarandKingdom Heartswent on to become available nearly everywhere, there were both successful and entertaining games that never got the opportunity to leave Japan. So now, let’s look back on the best PS2 games that never got the chance to make their way out of Japan.
10Evangelion: Jo
An Emotional & Ruthless Virtual Adaptation Of A Beloved Anime
What Players Will Love…
Neon Genesis Evangelionisan iconic anime series, and this PS2 Japan-exclusive is no different. Evangelion: Jo is an action game based on both the series and film Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone. In this fascinating adventure, you’re put into the heart-thrilling tale of piloting EVAs and destruction.
When it comes to the gameplay, the story is presented mainly through 3D cutscenes while the ruthless combat goes through quick-time events.Battling the Angelsis a difficult feat, but the game lends you a helping hand by portraying useful information to be victorious. Along the way, you’ll interact withbeloved characters from the series, which makes it the perfect game for Evangelion fans.
Evangelion: Jo
9Chain Dive
Addictive Gameplay That Gets Your Heart Racing
Played from a 2.5D perspective within a 3D environment, Chain Dive is a thrilling yet obscure adventure. It has an addictive nature due to its wildly entertaining, fast-paced gameplay. Putting us in the shoes of a warrior named Shark, his skills at defeating foes are massively impressive. Giving us the chance to defeat them with tactics like body smashing and freezing, you’ll be more than hooked on battling anyone that crosses your path.
Chain Dive is easy enough to get into as its controls are fairly intuitive and simple to pick up. It’s also very visually satisfying when you successfully hit each combo, making you feel like a complete badass through the various battles. Overall, Chain Dive is a beat-em-up that captures a unique and futuristic atmosphere.
Chain Dive
8Bust A Move: Dance Summit 2001
Colorful Characters Mixed With Swift Dancing
Bust a Move: Dance Summit 2001 conveys a vibrant experience that’s surreal and exciting. Revolving around various stages with four different well-designed and cartoony dancers, you’ll be dancing your virtual feet off with how fast-paced the swift rhythm is. Sadly, despite its incredibly fun nature, Bust a Move: Dance Summit 2001 became a Japan-exclusive due to Sony having no interest in releasing it out of the country.
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The game is a spiritual successor to Bust a Groove, yet Dance Summit 2001 departs from the mechanics and music seen in the previous entry. It’s not too much of a fan-favorite among lovers of the series, as there’s quite a bit of technical problems. Regardless, the game is a worthy contender to become charmed by.
Bust A Move: Dance Summit 2001
Adorable Polar Bear Trying To Break Into Music
Known as “Bear Song” in Japanese, Kuma Uta is a silly and experimental experience that gets wonderfully weirder by the second. Starring a polar bear who yearns to get away from his normal life to become an enka singer, this game tasks you with helping him reach true stardom.
Gameplay in Kuma Uta is very simple. Solely focused on a bear who sings beautiful songs, you’ll answer his questions, and he’ll create a song based on your answers. The singing sequences are one of the most charming aspects of Kuma Uta, with well-designed environments surrounding the bear as he robotically sings. Although it never made its way to the rest of the world, finding a way to play Kuma Uta is more than worth it.
6Front Mission 5: Scars Of War
Masterful Work Of Art In The Front Mission Universe
It’s a shame that Front Mission 5: Scars of War never made its way out of Japan, as the fifth main installment is considered the pinnacle of the entire series. There’s a significant cinematic focus throughout the game, on top of being a faithful culmination of all the elements from the previous games.
Following the same serialized storyline from its predecessors, Front Mission 5: Scars of War takes you back through the lives of those struggling withinthe world of mechasknown as wanzers. Missions flow beautifully with the traditional RPG format, where you’re tasked with defeating enemies and protecting allied targets. Through all of this, Front Mission 5 is an example of an installment being almost perfect in a franchise, and it’s wild that it never made it out of Japan.
Front Mission 5: Scars of the War
5Namco X Capcom
Adventurous JRPG Character Crossover
Namco x Capcom takes thrilling combat to another level. It’sa tactical JRPGthat combines consistent action elements, becoming an experience that’s more than easy to fall in love with. Considered one of the biggest crossovers in JRPG history, Namco x Capcom features characters from adored Namco and Capcom series.
While the game has a huge focus on well-known characters, it centers around two original protagonists who bring the beloved figures into their reality. Putting you in control of teams made up of Namco and Capcom characters, each lengthy level is split into character interactions and bloodthirsty battles. Sadly, likely due to the size of the script, Namco x Capcom forever became a Japan-exclusive.
Namco x Capcom
4Hungry Ghosts
Lovecraftian Melancholic Tale
Played entirely through a first-person perspective, traversing through the grim environment in Hungry Ghosts is completely unnerving. It feels as though it’s a walking simulator working in tandem with classic survival horror elements to create an eerie yet immersive experience. And, for a story centered around going through the afterlife, this combination is fitting.
The atmosphere in Hungry Ghosts is reminiscent of dark fantasy, where the fog and gray hues hauntingly surround your vision. Along every careful step you take, you’ll come across various enemies and figures that remind you of the unearthly world you’re forced to travel in. It’s tragic that it only had a single release, as it would’ve swiftly become a staple in the world ofsurvival horror.
Hungry Ghosts
3Shadow Tower Abyss
A Ruthless Yet Addictive Dark Fantasy Journey
Before Demon’s Souls, FromSoftware put their heads together to create a vicious fantasy-driven tale with similar mechanical elements to King’s Field. Shadow Tower Abyss is the sequel to the first Shadow Tower, set in the same intimidating tower and featuring characters from the previous entry.
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In search of a great weapon, you find yourself trapped within the towering building, forced to climb to the top to survive. Throughout this attempt to make it out alive, you’ll encounter different characters, terrifying caverns, dark chambers, and so much more. With the great success that Shadow Tower Abyss had in Japan, it’s surprising that it’s never gotten an English release overseas.
Shadow Tower Abyss
2Kinnikuman: Muscle Grand Prix Max
Wrestling & Fighting Combating In Tandem
Kinnikuman: Muscle Grand Prix Max is a home version of the quirky arcade fighting game. Including more than twenty characters, fifteen stages, and a brand-new story mode, its transition from the arcade to the comfort of your home was perfect for fans of the original Kinnikuman: Muscle Grand Prix.
The second installment in the Kinnikuman series was the beginning of a great start for the franchise as it is known today. Expanding on various game modes, previous players had an exciting opportunity to explore even more of the game than before. When it comes down to it, Kinnikuman: Muscle Grand Prix Max is a fantastic wrestling and fighting hybrid that well-deserved a release out of Japan.
Kinnikuman: Muscle Grand Prix MAX
1Another Century’s Episode
Influential Mecha Destruction
If you’re a fan of having a destructive adventure in mecha, then Another Century’s Episode would definitely be worth going the mile to play. The game hands you the wonderful option to pilot different mechas from nine different anime robot franchises, such asArmored CoreandGundam. Released to strong sales, and with production having FromSoftware’s help, it’s a shock that it remains a Japan-exclusive.
You’re always bound to have a one-of-a-kind experience with each playthrough in Another Century’s Episode. Each mecha is different, with each offering unique weapons and attack styles. The plot is nothing to scoff at either, where futuristic war plays a huge role. At the end of the day, Another Century’s Episode reigns supreme in being one of the greatest Japan-exclusive PS2 titles.
Another Century’s Episode
10 Greatest JRPGs That Never Left Japan
From Atelier Marie to Mother 3 and Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, these are some of the very best JRPGs that only saw release in Japan.
